Today I caught up with a good friend! What a joy filled day! A few years ago, my best friend moved about an hour away. We had every good intention of seeing each other regularly, especially when our children were such wonderful friends as well. But, as the years grew, the frequency of our visits seemed to almost disappear. I drove out to her house today and realized it had been over one year since my last visit.
We can talk and talk about how "busy" we are these days, but bottom line is that I didn't put our friendship in a place of priority. I chose to put other things ahead of our relationship and a few months ago it hit me how sorely I missed her. So, we have made the commitment to get together more regularly again.
And how sweet it was, being in the presense of my dear friend and sister in Christ. Before we knew it, 5 hours had gone by and it was time to pack up the kids and leave. But during those hours we laughed, we shared the lessons God has led us to and we reminisced about our children and how much they have grown.
Having a friend for over 5 years is new for me, for I have moved about every 2 years in my married life. We have been settled in Wisconsin now for 5 years and it is so nice to have that "old" friend that knows me so well.
It was a great day!
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There seems to be a theme running through Bible passages, sermons and conversations I have had recently - figuring out what has eternal significance and what is eternally insignificant! I started making a list of the things that have some real significance and the list is awfully short! It includes things like my relationship with the Lord, my marriage, my children...basically, a lot of relationships.
When I looked at my list if eternally insignificant things - well, as you can probably imagine, it covered a lot of my stuff - including a house :) As I laid awake in bed this morning (due to a thunderstorm), my mind wanted to fret over our house situation, but the Holy Spirit reminded me of what has eternal significance.
So, I got up, made some waffles for the 4 kids, grabbed a cup of coffee, (stopped to write here) and am now heading to my favorite spot to spend some time with His Word.
After that - my first attempt at making pickles!! Should be fun!
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Our house has been on the market for 30 days now - and nothing! I know that it is a tough market right now, but I tried to stay optimistic. Now, I am turning to realistic :)
My husband and I have done a lot of praying and talking lately - and I KNOW that our desire is first and foremost to be in the will of God. We don't want to move if that is not where God wants us. But, we do still have a desire in our hearts to move out of the city. I think what God is calling us to right now is contentment. Being content in our city home and making it a homestead (without all that extra land).
I am grateful to have a double lot - almost unheard of in these parts. I have grown to really love my neighbors and I enjoy pouring into their lives - maybe there is more work to be done for the Lord. I can still have an amazing garden - maybe a bigger one would be too difficult to manage these days? My kids have room to run, throw a ball, and swing - maybe they need to stay here for a year or two more?
I look around my house and am happy with the changes we have made while our house has been up for sale: we de-cluttered, we made a few updates and improvements - I think I will be content if we stay. One of our pastor's always says we need a teacher to teach us contentment - maybe my teacher right now is the disappointment of not selling my house?
Whatever happens, I pray that I continue to walk humbly with the Lord and let Him dictate all my moves.
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Well, we think we have found that perfect homestead...again! This time, we have actually put an offer on the house and have put our house up for sale. It seems that every moment of quiet in the day, I am praying that God would let this happen this time. My husband and I have asked God to search our hearts and reveal any impure motives for this move - nothing seems to come up. The only pull on my heart these days is leaving my neighbors, whom I have worked very hard to have relationships with. Almost all of my neighbors have said, "We don't want you to move", and it makes me wonder if God has more work for me to do here.
I just finished my first batch up zucchini- pineapple muffins. They are the most mouth watering muffins I have ever had. I am planning on taking several to my Bible study girls tomorrow morning. I also blanched a whole bunch of green beans and prepared them for the freezer - can't wait to have fresh green beans in January! I was able to eat my first Roma tomato and cucumber with a salad for lunch today - yum! I can't believe how mighty my garden is this year - it must be a good year, because my mom in Ohio commented that her garden is wonderful as well.
Well, because I am trying so hard to keep a meticulously clean house (for that unexpected showing that just may be "the one"!), I need to get going and clean up the kitchen.
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Well, we got the answer to our question regarding whether or not to move out to our homestead...God said, "not now".
My husband and I pouted a bit - around 6 hours of grumbling, kicking the dirt, slamming down on the couch - we were like a couple of kids. But after a few more hours, a real peace came over us. We don't know that plans that God has for us, only that they are good. This move to this house was not in His plans and I am at peace with that.
We think that within a few years we will be on a hobby farm. Until then, I will continue to grow my garden larger and larger each year, learn how to can all these vegetables I have, and homeschool my kids.
I can't wait to get out of the city, but God has other plans. In fact, yesterday I was able to talk with a neighbor who has been so curious about my life (homeschooling, no TV, lots of kids, etc.) and it was truly an opportunity created by the Lord. I talked about why we are so different from the average family on the block and she eventually confessed that she looks at us with a little envy - wishing she could live that way. "You can!" I shouted. Maybe God has unfinished business for me in this house and with this neighbor.
All I know is that I will live here on 52nd Street living my life for Him.
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We will be heading out tomorrow to the house that we want to buy - need to take another look around before we put in a bid and decide to "go for it".
This is a turn of the century farm house on 6 acres. The house is in good shape, but will be a bit small for our family. We see great potential of adding a bedroom to help us all fit. The land is sectioned off into 3 corrals for horses and has a pole barn.
My question is - what can you tell me about horses? What is it like owning horses? How much work? Expense? Most of the farms in the area we are looking have horses and there is an equine hospital around the corner. I need to start my investigating somewhere, so I thought I would try here first.
Any help?
Thanks so much - and we are still praying that God would go before us as we make this life changing decision to get out of the city and into the country.
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It's a spectacular morning in Wisconsin today. Clear blue skies, a crisp breeze off Lake Michigan, and the sun is shinning. The sun in streaming into my kitchen as we all finish our breakfast and turn on some worship music. A little taste of heaven, when I can worship the Lord with my family!
Yesterday I mediated on Psalm 33 and was so comforted by the words at the end of the Psalm:
"We're depending on God,
he's everything we need.
What's more, our hearts brim with joy
since we've taken for our own his holy name.
Love us, God, with all you've got -
that's what we're depending on."
Oh how true God's word is and how amazing that it can penetrate into the depths of our soul to express what we are feeling. As I face the uncertain future of selling and buying a house, trying to make a dream come true, I am at a point where I know that He is everything I need. I am depending on God to pour out all the love He has to get me through these busy days. But what is on top of all that? A joy that spills over because I have taken on the name of the Lord- He is my father!
Only in Christ can I feel such dependence upon Him while feeling joy in that dependence. It is counter-culture these days to admit weakness - and even more strange to find peace, joy and happiness in admitting that weakness. But, as I throw my life onto the altar and say "it is not mine, but yours" a peace envelops me that allows me to sleep at night.
So, I will tell all of what it is that sustains me and gives me joy.
So sings my soul...how great thou art!
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So, here I am... sitting in front of my computer a little dazed, having just met with a real estate agent about selling my home. You see, I currently live in the city. We bought this house 5 years ago before I knew anything about homeschooling or predicting that I would someday long to simplify my life. Now I have been homeschooling my 4 children for 4 years and I want out of here!
As I learn more about homesteading the more this life rings true in my soul. To live off the land, live more simply, appreciate God's beauty around us and to teach my children in my own way and in my own home is what I long to do. I have changed tremendously in the past 5 years from the woman who wanted the "right" house in the "right" neighborhood. Now I want the not so right house out in the country :)
In my heart, I have been kneeling before the throne of God all day asking that he would grant the desires of my heart. My husband found an old farmhouse on 6 acres out in the country. Our desire is to move to that house, downsize all our "stuff" and create a homestead for our family.
But now the reality of getting a house ready to sell, trying to sell as the market is going soft, and doing this while heading into the fall makes me realize that I can do nothing without the help of the Lord.
If you read this, would you please say a prayer for my family? The Lord will go before us if this is His will, I am sure of that. In the meantime, I will be tending my garden, painting touch-ups on the walls where the kids got creative with a marker, and praying that God would grant the desires of my heart.